By Mbono Mdluli

MBABANE – Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela has accompanied Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini to Luanda, Angola to be part of the 2025 US-Africa Business Summit.

The minister is doing this in an effort to attract energy investment into the country, so that Eswatini can be able to enhance its energy production efforts. The summit started from the 22nd to the 25th of June 2025. The theme of the forum, “Pathways to Prosperity: A shared vision for the US-Africa partnership,” aptly captures the spirit of collaboration and progress that permeates this dynamic event.

The minister, in this summit, is expected to engage in critical discussions related to energy and mining sectors. On the table for discussion are topics such as US-Africa Energy Partnerships, Innovations Electrifying Africa, Mining and Critical Minerals, and more, reflecting the comprehensive and far-reaching nature of the summit.

Accompanying the minister at the summit is a delegation that includes Thabile Nkosi, the Director of Energy, Dr. Noah Nhleko, the Commissioner of Mines, and officials from the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC).

Prince Lonkhokhela took part in this trip hardly five days after participating in the 27th Africa Energy Forum (AEF), which took place from June 17 to 20, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa. During that meeting, the minister made a significant call for collaboration among African nations to ensure universal energy access across the continent.

The theme for this year’s AEF, “Africa United,” symbolizes Africa’s collective determination to communicate a unified vision regarding energy development. The forum serves as a crucial platform for stakeholders across Africa to present their energy needs and aspirations to a global audience.

Current Energy Situation in Eswatini

Eswatini faces significant energy challenges that make these international engagements crucial:

• The country’s domestic electricity generation capacity is only 76.5 megawatts, while its demand is 233 megawatts.
• Eswatini heavily relies on electricity imports, with about 80% of its power supply coming from South Africa and Mozambique.
• The country’s import agreement with South Africa is set to expire in 2025, adding urgency to finding new solutions.

US-Africa Business Summit Engagement

Prince Lonkhokhela’s participation in the US-Africa Business Summit 2025 in Luanda is strategically important because:

1. Investment Opportunities: The summit focuses on transforming US-Africa energy cooperation from policy frameworks to actionable projects, which could help address Eswatini’s significant infrastructure needs.
2. Critical Minerals and Mining: The summit’s focus on integrating African countries into global mining value chains aligns with Eswatini’s delegation composition, including Dr. Noah Nhleko, the Commissioner of Mines.
3. Public-Private Partnerships: The summit emphasizes strategic public-private partnerships for accelerating infrastructure development, which could help Eswatini achieve its energy goals. 

Africa Energy Forum (AEF) Participation

Prince Lonkhokhela’s involvement in the AEF 2025 in Cape Town was equally significant because:

1. Continental Unity: The “Africa United” theme aligns with the need for collective solutions to address energy challenges affecting 600 million Africans without electricity
2. Financial Requirements: The forum addressed crucial funding needs:
   • Africa’s energy sector requires $250 billion annually by 2030

• The electricity sector alone needs $120 billion annually
• Currently, Africa receives only 3% of global energy investments

Eswatini’s Energy Development Goals

These international engagements support Eswatini’s ambitious energy objectives:

1. Universal Energy Access: Eswatini aims to achieve universal energy access by 2030
2. Energy Independence: The country has set a goal for full energy independence by 2034 through its Energy Masterplan
3. Renewable Energy Targets: Plans include:
   • Increasing renewable energy share by 50% before 2030 compared to 2010 levels

• Reducing emissions by 5-14% by 2030  

Potential Benefits from International Partnerships

These summits could help Eswatini access various support mechanisms:

1. US Support Programs:
   • Power Africa initiative, which has helped deliver electricity to nearly 165 million people

• US-Africa Clean Tech Energy Network (CTEN), which aims to facilitate up to $350 million in deals

2. Existing Development Programs:
   • World Bank’s ASCENT project, which aims to provide electricity access to 200 000 people

• International Atomic Energy Agency partnership for energy planning
• Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) for rural community energy access

 Conclusion

Prince Lonkhokhela’s participation in both summits represents a comprehensive approach to addressing Eswatini’s energy challenges through international cooperation and investment attraction. The timing is particularly crucial given the country’s current energy production deficit and the impending expiration of its import agreement with South Africa. These engagements could potentially help Eswatini secure the necessary partnerships and investments to achieve its ambitious energy independence and renewable energy goals.

(Pics by : Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy Eswatini)